Story by Gay Matambo
THE Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion took its ongoing tax collection sensitisation programme to Chiredzi this Thursday, as part of efforts to raise awareness on how government revenues are driving national development.
Running under the theme “Your Tax Works See the Change in Your Community,” the programme seeks to educate citizens on the critical role of taxes in financing infrastructure, social services, and other key government programmes.
The initiative is also aimed at fostering a culture of tax compliance by demonstrating the tangible benefits that tax contributions bring to communities across Zimbabwe.
Chiredzi residents, who include sugarcane farmers, SMEs and traditional leaders, noted the importance of the campaign in ensuring people understand how taxes are driving socio-economic development.
“These engagements are important to the business community because when they come down to enhance tax education, it also enhances the compliance of the business community because we appreciate and understand how our compliance informs fiscal decisions,” a business person said.
“The country gets its revenue from tax collection, hence such programmes are important to make citizens aware of where their taxes are going,” a participant said.
“This meeting is an eye-opener to farmers and local SMEs so that they know the importance of tax,” Chief Tshovani said.
Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Ms Pretty Moyo, said the government has begun reviewing the current regulation fees to reduce the tax burden.
“So far from the engagements we have done, the regulatory fees are one of the key concerns where people are saying we are happy that the government has finally heard us and is already reducing these and business owners are saying this will make them more viable and it will help them formalise,” she said.
The campaign is expected to improve tax compliance, a key component for the country to attain economic growth.
